Proverbs 15
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools gush out folly. 3Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit. 5A fool despises his father’s correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. 6In the house of the righteous is much treasure, but the income of the wicked brings trouble. 7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools. 8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness. 10There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way. Whoever hates reproof shall die. 11Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! 12A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise. 13A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit. 14The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. 15All the days of the afflicted are wretched, but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast. 16Better is little, with the fear of Yahweh, than great treasure with trouble. 17Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, than a fattened calf with hatred. 18A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife. 19The way of the sluggard is like a thorn patch, but the path of the upright is a highway. 20A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother. 21Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight. 22Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established. 23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time! 24The path of life leads upward for the wise, to keep him from going downward to Sheol. 25Yahweh will uproot the house of the proud, but he will keep the widow’s borders intact. 26Yahweh detests the thoughts of the wicked, but the thoughts of the pure are pleasing. 27He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil. 29Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. 30The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones. 31The ear that listens to reproof lives, and will be at home among the wise. 32He who refuses correction despises his own soul, but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. 33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
Introduction
Proverbs 15
Solomon, as conservator of the public peace, here tells us, 1. How the peace may be kept, that we may know how in our places to keep it; it is by soft words. If wrath be risen like a threatening cloud, pregnant with storms and thunder, a soft answer will disperse it and turn it away. When men are provoked, speak gently to them, and give them good words, and they will be pacified, as the Ephraimites were by Gideon's mildness (Jdg 8:1-3); whereas, upon a like occasion, by Jephthah's roughness, they were exasperated, and the consequences were bad, Jdg 12:1-3. Reason will be better spoken, and a righteous cause better pleaded, with meekness then with passion; hard arguments do best with soft words. 2. How the peace will be broken, that we, for our parts, may do nothing towards the breaking of it. Nothing stirs up anger, and sows discord, like grievous words, calling foul names, as Raca, and Thou fool, upbraiding men with their infirmities and infelicities, their extraction or education, or any thing that lessens them and makes them mean; scornful spiteful reflections, by which men affect to show their wit and malice, stir up the anger of others, which does but increase and inflame their own anger. Rather than lose a jest some will lose a friend and make an enemy.
Cross-references: Judg 8:1 · Judg 12:1